The Mitsubishi was badly damaged on the driver’s side and the victim had to be cut from the wreckage and taken out the passenger side of the car, while the Audi was damaged at the front and the airbags deployed.

Gardai say they are following a definite line of inquiry in their investigations but have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The cause of the accident is not known at this stage.

“At approximately 0035 hours a 33-year-old male was seriously injured when the car he was driving collided with a second car on Blanchardstown Road south,” said a garda spokesman.

“He was taken by ambulance to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The occupants of the second car failed to remain at the scene,” he added.

Garda forensic collision investigators carried out an examination of the scene this morning.

A set of traffic lights were also smashed down in the collision.

The road was closed and diversions put in place.

Blanchardstown Road South was closed between the junctions of Blanchardstown Centre roundabout and the junction with the M3 Dublin/Cavan Road flyover at Junction 3 Clonsilla. Motorists could only access Blanchardstown Centre from the Westend Retail Park side.

The Coroner’s office was also notified after the fatality.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station 01-6667000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.